Local attorneys, James E. Easterday and Jeffery R. Houin, are starting 2015 as partners in their newly formed firm Easterday Houin LLP. They will maintain the same offices in both Plymouth and Culver that were formerly known as Easterday & Ummel.
Easterday said the plan has always been to develop an ongoing partnership following the untimely passing of Ted Ummel in October of 2010. Houin joined the firm as an associate attorney in April, 2012.
Easterday said, “I’ve always taken pride in a willingness to adapt to my client’s changing needs. This new partnership is a natural step.” He said practicing in a small town requires real relationships and personal services for clients. “Our clients have to feel we are acting on their behalf in a way they are comfortable with proceeding.” he said.
Easterday pointed to the goals that he and Houin share as the basis for a strong partnership. He said, “Jeff (Houin) has a good feel for the law and has the personal skills needed in this community.”
Houin said, “Since I first joined Easterday & Ummel as an associate attorney, it was obvious that Jim (Easterday) and I share a similar approach to practicing law and meeting our client’s needs. Jim has been a great teacher and mentor over the last couple years and I’m excited to become his partner.”
Both Easterday and Houin are involved in the community as volunteers. Easterday serves various roles in the First United Methodist Church and Masonic Lodge. He previously served on the United Way of Marshall County and Board of Directors of Marshall Starke Development Center. Currently, he is a member of the Board of Directors for Older Adult Services. He served as the county attorney for 13 years and a public defender for 8 years.
Houin is a Board Member of United Way of Marshall County; Rotary Club, president; and Marshall County Bar Association, president. He also serves as a court appointed public defender.
As Easterday Houin LLP, they will continue to represent the Plymouth Community School Corporation, the Culver Community School Corporation, and the Marshall County Economic Development Corporation.
According to Easterday, the firm will continue to take pro bono referrals from Legal Aide of South Bend.
Easterday is a life-long Marshall County resident, originally from Culver. He received his undergraduate degree from the Indiana University School of Business and his Doctor of Jurisprudence degree in 1973 from the Indiana University School of Law Bloomington. After serving two years in the Unitized States Army as an Adjutant General, he returned to Marshall County to practice law with Feagler Sowinski & Easterday. He and Ummel joined in 1980.
Houin is a 1996 graduate of Plymouth High School and received an undergraduate degree from Ball State University in 2000. After several years working in business , he continued his education and received his Doctorate of Jurisprudence degree in 2008 from the University of Notre Dame Law School. He worked for law firms in Indianapolis and South Bend before going to Easterday & Ummel in 2012.
For more information on services offered by Easterday Houin LLP, visit www.EasterdayHouin.com.
Carol Anders Correspondent
